Graphical user surface and method for indicating a malfunction state of an electrophotographic printing or copying system

ABSTRACT

In a method or system for display of a malfunction state of a printing or copying system, a display field is substantially shown in a first color in an undisturbed first operating state. The display field is substantially shown in a second color in a potentially disturbed second operating state with a potential malfunction of a first group. The display field is substantially shown in a third color given a disturbed third operating state with a malfunction of a second group. Also a method or system is provided for automatic generation of messages in an electrophotographic printer or copier wherein a text message that contains at least an error code is automatically generated with aid of a data processing system after occurrence of a preset error state. The message is sent to a preset recipient.

BACKGROUND

The preferred embodiment concerns a graphical user interface and amethod for indication of a malfunction state of an electrophotographicprinting or copying system. The preferred embodiment also concerns agraphical user interface and a method for support in the correction ofan error state of an electrophotographic printing or copying system anda system as well as a method for automatic generation of messages in anelectrophotographic printer or copier.

Known electrophotographic printing or copying systems contain operatingunits with display and input units via which user interfaces aredisplayed. If an error state occurs, a text message is output (typicallywith an error code) that informs an operating personnel about theoccurrence of the error. The error messages have preferably beendisplayed with the aid of an error list, what is known as the errorjournal or error list, in which messages of a plurality of occurrederrors can be stored. An operating personnel could then determine theerror cause and initiate steps for error remedy with the aid of manualsor via a telephone call to a service center of the printer or copiermanufacturer. The call number of such a service center of the printer orcopier manufacturer was specified in the manual of the printer orcopier.

After the exchange of an expendable part and after the filling ofconsumable materials in a known printing or copying system, a newreplacement expendable part or new consumable material is re-ordered byfilling out an order form that is then sent to the service center of theprinter or copier manufacturer via fax or postal service.

A display device for a copying device is known from the document DE 3247 871 A1, in which patterns or diagrams are printed out on a displaypanel, whereby these patterns or diagrams are displayed through a colorfilter with a light source arranged behind them upon occurrence of amalfunction state. Given activation of the light source, individualelements can be displayed in the color “yellow” and other elements canbe displayed in the color “red”.

Furthermore, from the document DE 101 46 335 A1 it is known to provide amultimedia user interface in a printer or copier. With the aid of themultimedia user interface, information about the functioning of thecontrol of the printer or copier can be output to a user. The userinterface also serves to support an operating personnel in thecorrection of an error state.

From the document FR 2 695 236 A1, a method is known for display ofmachine malfunctions of a polygraphic machine via which a fast discoveryand remedy of machine malfunctions is possible with the help of imagerepresentations or a series of real images.

A system for determination of the exchange of a component in a printeris known from the document DE 101 46 335 A1, in which the printer sendsa component exchange notice to a computer connected over a network. Thiscomputer can then, for example, send a fax with an order/information toa vendor.

A system with a plurality of printers or copiers is known from thedocument U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,593, in which consumable materials can beordered at a supplier with the aid of a central controller. With thehelp of a data communication device, the individual printers or copiersare queried in order to determine the need for consumable materials.

A monitoring and accounting system in a printer or copier is known fromthe document U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,179. The monitoring and accountingoccurs with the aid of number values that are recorded by a counter inthe printer or copier.

A display field of a copier in which error states are represented byshowing the display element in the color yellow or red is known from thedocument U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,034 A. However, a display element can onlybe shown in one color, whereby a concise error representation isdifficult.

An operating unit that contains display elements that contain a red lampand a green lamp is known from the Patent Abstract of Japan forapplication 2000-046461. However, only one error state can be indicatedin this operating unit.

From the document EP 0 699 966 A2 it is known to use a sequence ofimages as an aid for error correction, which images show the actions tobe taken in series in order to arrive at the error location.

From the document U.S. 2002/0079422 A1, a user interface is known withwhat are known as selection buttons that contain schematicrepresentations of selected structural units. By activating such aselection button, detailed information regarding the occurred error isshown in a display window.

SUMMARY

It is an object to specify a graphical user interface, a system and amethod for an electrophotographic printing or copying system with whicha simple and fast error correction is possible and operator controlactions for request of consumable materials and expendable parts as wellas a malfunction notification are simplified.

In a method or system for display of a malfunction state of a printingor copying system, a display field is substantially shown in a firstcolor in an undisturbed first operating state. The display field issubstantially shown in a second color in a potentially disturbed secondoperating state with a potential malfunction of a first group. Thedisplay field is substantially shown in a third color given a disturbedthird operating state with a malfunction of a second group. Also amethod or system is provided for automatic generation of messages in anelectrophotographic printer or copier wherein a text message thatcontains at least an error code is automatically generated with aid of adata processing system after occurrence of a preset error state. Themessage is sent to a preset recipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical user interface for indication by an operating unitof an electrophotographic printing system according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a graphical user interface for indication by an operating unitof an electrophotographic printing system according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the graphical user interface according to FIG. 2 with asecond representation of the printing system;

FIG. 4 is a graphical user interface similar to the user interfacesaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows the user interface according to FIG. 4 with a secondrepresentation of the printing system;

FIG. 6 shows the graphical user interface according to FIGS. 4 and 5,whereby text message is output;

FIG. 7 shows the user interface according to FIGS. 4 through 6, wherebya message with error information about an occurred error state has beenautomatically generated;

FIG. 8 shows the user interface according to FIGS. 4 through 7, wherebya message for re-ordering of an expendable part has been automaticallygenerated;

FIG. 9 is an explanation of the display field of a malfunctionindication and of a warning indication that are contained in the userinterfaces according to FIGS. 1 through 8; and

FIG. 10 is an explanation of the symbols for control of the views todetermine the error cause, which symbols are contained in the userinterfaces according to FIGS. 1 through 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Errors and potential malfunctions or warnings are signaled to anoperating personnel via a color, variable display field via a graphicaluser interface. Malfunctions are in particular error states of theelectrophotographic printer printing or copying system. An operatingpersonnel thus immediately recognizes, i.e. at a glance, that theelectrophotographic printing or copying system is in an undisturbedoperating state, in an operating state with a malfunction or in anoperating state with a potential malfunction, in particular in an alarmor warning state. The operating personnel can thereby furthermorequickly and specifically take measures for error correction and minimizethe effect of a malfunction. The operating personnel can thus, forexample, forward print jobs to other printing or copying systems.

A second aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method toindicate a malfunction state of an electrophotographic printing orcopying system. With the help of such a method, an operating personnelcan quickly and simply obtain information about the operating state ofthe electrophotographic printing or copying system, whereby theoperating personnel can immediately take further steps for malfunctioncorrection or to prevent a malfunction.

A third aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a graphical userinterface for support in the correction of an error state of anelectrophotographic printing or copying system. Given the occurrence ofan error state, i.e. given occurrence of a malfunction or a potentialmalfunction, a first graphic representation of at least one view of theprinting or copying system is output with the aid of the graphical userinterface. The region is thereby specified in which an occur hasoccurred. Furthermore, a second graphic representation can be output inwhich the error location is shown enlarged and/or more detailed incontrast with the first graphic representation. An operating personnelor a service technician is thereby given a precise aid in finding theerror location. The error cause can thereby be quickly and specificallyremedied. Furthermore, the at least two views that serve for indicationsfor finding the error location and thus for fast remedy of the errorstate can be switched between.

A fourth aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method forsupport in the correction of an error state of an electrophotographicprinting or copying system. Given an error state, at least one firstgraphical representation of at least one view of the printing or copyingsystem in which the error state has occurred is output. At least onesecond graphical representation is subsequently output via which atleast one enlarged or a more detailed representation of the errorlocation occurs. An operating personnel can thereby be guidedstep-by-step to the error location. Long delays in the finding of theerror cause are thus prevented. The operating personnel receives moredetailed information for finding the error location with the aid of theviews. The error location can thereby also be the location at which theerror can be corrected.

A fifth aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a system forautomatic generation of notices in the electrophotographic printer orcopier. The system contains a data processing system that generates atleast one text message upon occurrence of a pre-set event. For example,malfunction messages, re-orders of expendable parts and of consumablematerials can thereby be generated without further operator controlactions of an operating personnel. Error causes such as thespecification of wrong order numbers are prevented by the automaticgeneration of the message by the data processing system. Given occurredmalfunctions, all data necessary to determine the malfunction cause canbe contained in the automatically-created text notification.

A sixth aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method forautomatic generation of notifications in an electrophotographic printeror copier. After the occurrence of a preset event, a text message thatcontains specifications about the event is automatically generated withthe aid of a data processing system of the printer or copier. Themessage is sent to a preset receiver. It is thereby achieved thatmessages are generated in a simple manner, whereby an operatingpersonnel is unburdened and errors are prevented.

A first graphical user interface 10 according to a first exemplaryembodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The graphical user interface 10 containsa first section 12 with display fields and graphical function keys, whatare known as buttons. The section 12 is also designated as a toolbar.

A first display field in the section 12 is designated with 14. Thisdisplay field 14 is activated after the occurrence of a potentialmalfunction, for example when the toner reservoir or the paper reservoirof the printing system drops below a specific value or when consumablecounters overrun or underrun a specific number value. In the deactivatedstate, the display field 14 is shown in a grey tone that opticallystands out with only a low contrast from the background of the section12. The display field 14 is activated after the occurrence of an error,such that the display field 14 is essentially colored in a yellow color,whereby a relatively strong contrast with the background of the section12 is created. The exclamation mark in the center of the display fieldis furthermore shown black.

A second display field 16 is activated after the occurrence of amalfunction. Similar to the display field 14, the display field 16 isshown in a grey tone in the deactivated state. The cross arranged in thecenter of the display field 16 is thereby shown in a white color. In anormal operating state in which no malfunction has occurred, the displayfield 16 thus does not prominently catch the eye of an operatingpersonnel. After the occurrence of a malfunction, the display field 16is significantly colored in a red color that is significantlyhigh-contrast relative to the background of the section 12. The displayfield 16 is thereby optically strongly emphasized in the section 12. Anoperating personnel is thus very quickly and clearly informed about theoperating state of the printing system. The display field 14 also has atriangular shape and the display field 16 has a round shape fordifferentiation of the warning state and the malfunction state.

The section 12 furthermore contains a field 18 for text output in whichthe current operating state is output as text. Thus, after theoccurrence of a malfunction state the display field 16 is activated andthe text “stop” is output in the text output field. If only the displayfield 14 is activated, dependent on the cause of the potentialmalfunction the text “warning” or “alarm” is output in the text outputfield 18. Both the display field 14 and the display field 16 areactivated in the representation according to FIG. 1. The malfunctionnotification has a higher priority than the message of a potentialmalfunction, such that after two warnings and a malfunction haveoccurred the text “stop” is output in the text output field 18.

A list with malfunction messages and warnings, what is known as theerror list, is also output in a second section 20 of the graphical userinterface 10 after the occurrence of an error. Two warnings and amalfunction are currently contained in the error list. For clearassociation with the message, the symbols of the display fields 14 and16 are prefixed to the respective message, whereby the symbol of thedisplay field 14 is prefixed to warnings and alarm messages and thesymbol of the display field 16 is prefixed to malfunction messages.

At least one detailed item of information about the error message, i.e.about the warning or the malfunction message, is output in the thirdsection 22 via the selection of an error message in the second section20 of the user interface 10. The third section 22 contains a separatetoolbar 24 that contains graphical function keys and a text outputfield. The error message selected in the second section 20 is output inthe text output field, whereby with the aid of the graphical functionkeys selection can be made between a text output mode with indicationsof the error cause and with data that are necessary to determine theerror cause and at least one graphical representation of the printingsystem with an indication of the error cause.

A graphical representation of the back side of the printing system isshown in the third section 22 in FIG. 1, since an operating personnelonly has access to the error location from this side of the printingsystem. Furthermore, a flap 24 to be opened is optically emphasized inthis graphical representation. This flap 24 must be opened to reach theerror location. The operating personnel thereby receives a preciseinstruction as to how he or she at least arrives at the error location.Further views that also contain information to remedy the error causecan be selected with the aid of the function keys of the toolbar 24. Infurther views of the printer, the third section 22 of the user interface10 also contains text information, animated graphics and/or videosequences for remedy of the error cause.

The graphical user interface 10 furthermore contains a menu 26 in whichvarious user interfaces can be selected. Setting values and parametersof the printing system can be changed and/or read out with the help ofthese user interfaces. The toolbar in the first section 12 containsfurther display fields and function keys. Thus in region 28 the toolbarcontains graphical function keys for operation of the printing systemthat are also provided in hardware as buttons on the printing system.The graphical function keys in the region 28 optically coincide inshape, color and arrangement with the keys present on the printingsystem.

A printing channel of the printing system can be selected in the region30 of the toolbar, whereby the activated channel is optically emphasizedin the region 30. Existing print jobs can be aborted in the region 32 byan operating personnel, for example after a malfunction. Further displayfields and function keys as well as a text output field with the displayof the currently set user are contained in the regions 34 and 36 of thetoolbar. The display fields 14 and 16 contained in the region 34 havealready been described in detail further above. The graphical functionkeys of the toolbar 24 and the display fields 14 and 16 are specified infurther detail in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10.

A graphical user interface 40 according to a second exemplary embodimentis shown in FIG. 2. Like the user interface 10 according to FIG. 1, theuser interface 30 according to FIG. 2 has a first section 42 thatcontains a toolbar. A second section 44 of the graphical user interface40 contains an output of error messages and warnings, similar to thesecond section 20 of the graphical user interface 10 according toFIG. 1. A third section 46 of the graphical user interface 40 contains atoolbar 48, whereby a graphic representation of the printing system viawhich an operating personnel receives an indication of the error causeand/or the error location is given in the third section 46. Detail viewsof the printing system with the error location and/or views to reach theerror location can be selected and called up with the aid of thegraphical function keys of the toolbar 48.

The graphical user interface 40 furthermore contains a menu 50 withwhich can be called up the user interfaces that can be displayed in theregions 44 and 46. After the occurrence of an error state, i.e. amalfunction, and upon occurrence of a potential malfunction, for examplea warning or an alarm state, instead of the control panel selected inthe menu 50 the error list is displayed in the second section 44 anddetail information regarding the malfunction is shown in the section 46.

The toolbar 42 contains a plurality of graphical function keys tocontrol the printing system such as, for example, a stop button, a“ready” button and an “off” button, whereby these buttons respectivelycontain a display element that displays the operating state of therespective button or of the printing system. The toolbar 42 containsfurther graphical function keys for the control of print data and aselected print channel. The current status or the current operatingstate of the printing system is output in a text output field 52,whereby the background color of the text output field 52 is changeddependent on the operating state of the printing system. The backgroundcolor is thus red given the state “not ready” and green given theoperating states “ready” or “in operation”. The toolbar 42 furthermorecontains a display field 54 for display of potential malfunctions, i.e.warnings and alarm messages, and a display field for display ofmalfunction states. The activation of the display field 54 occursessentially like the activation of the display field 14 according toFIG. 1, and the activation of the display field 56 occurs essentially asdescribed in connection with the display field 16 according to FIG. 1.

The graphical user interface 40 is provided for an operation with theaid of a computer mouse or a comparable pointer device. The graphicaluser interface 40 is thus suitable for operation with the aid ofcomputer mice, trackballs or for stylus input given touch-sensitivescreens, what are known as touchscreens. The selection of individualfunction keys or menu entries thereby occurs in that the pointer deviceor a pointer guided by the pointer device is positioned over therespective menu entry or the respective function key and is selected oractivated via a further operator control action, for example via what isknown as a mouse click. The toolbar 42 contains a function key 57,whereby given an activation of this function key 57 the graphical userinterface 40 is switched to a user interface 60 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5that is in particular suitable for “finger operation” via atouch-sensitive screen.

The user interface 40 according to FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3, in whichan error list with malfunction messages and warning is displayed in thedisplay field 44 and a detail view of the printing unit is displayed inthe display field 46, via which detail view an operating personnelreceives an indication in order to arrive at the error location. Thedetail view of the printing system in the section 46 contains a displayfield 58 with a symbol that is similar to the symbol of the displayfield 56 for a malfunction message. Via the positioning of the displayfield 58 on the detail view in the section 46, the operating personnelfurthermore receives an indication that the error search must becontinued at this location in order to arrive at the error site, i.e. atthe site at which a correction of the error can be implemented.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a further flap of the printingsystem that has been marked by the display field 58 is to be opened.This display of the instruction for finding the error location concernsthe error with the designation “DE ERROR PM038430”. If the graphicaluser interface 40 displays a different error in the error list in thesection 44, a detail view of the printing system suitable for this erroris shown in the section 46, whereby this representation then contains aninstruction for finding the error location. The other elements of theuser interface 40 coincide with the elements of the user interface 40shown in FIG. 2. In other exemplary embodiments, instead of the errorcodes shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 a preset text stored in the operating unitis output (i.e. displayed) both in the error list in section 44 and inthe display field of the toolbar 48.

A graphical user interface 60 similar to the user interface 40 accordingto FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 4. The user interface 60 according to FIG. 4has been optimized for what is known as the finger operation of atouch-sensitive screen. In contrast to the user interface 40 accordingto FIG. 2, the activation areas associated with the individual functionkeys and menu entries have been enlarged such that, given input via afinger contact, it is ensured that adjacent function keys or menuentries are absolutely not selected as well. A toolbar 62 contains thedisplay fields and function keys that are contained in the section 42 ofthe graphical user interface 40 according to FIG. 2. The functionsessentially coincide with the function keys and output fields shownthere. The output of a section with an error list similar to the section44 according to FIG. 2 has been omitted in the graphical user interface60 according to FIG. 4 for space reasons. The space of the section 44 ofthe graphical user interface 2 has been used in the graphical userinterface 60 according to FIG. 4 in order to show the section 66 and thesection 62 on a larger area. The section 66 contains a toolbar 68 withfunction keys via which a plurality of error messages containing errorlists (not shown in this view) can be switched between in order toobtain detail information regarding these errors, which information isthen shown in the section 66 as a graphical representation and/or as atext output.

Furthermore, the graphical user interface 60 contains a menu 70. Incontrast to the menu 50 according to FIG. 2, the menu 70 contains areduced number of menu entries in which not as many menu branches of thepresent menu tree are shown. However, the individual menu entries of themenu 50 are associated with significantly larger activation areas,whereby a selection of a menu entry can occur with the aid of a fingerinput via a touch-sensitive screen without accidentally selecting theadjacent menu entries or simultaneously selecting a plurality of menuentries.

The graphical user interface 60 according to FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5,whereby a detail view of the printing system is shown in section 66. Thedetail view significantly coincides with the detail view of the printingsystem shown in FIG. 3. The error PM037470 was selected (with the aid ofthe function keys in the toolbar 68) from the error list not shown inthe graphical user interface 60, whereby the detail view of the printingsystem shown in section 66 in particular receives an instruction forreaching the error site, in particular with the help of a displayelement 72.

With the aid of the function key 74, the user interface 40 can beswitched to the representation according to FIG. 3. With the help of thefunction key 56 in the toolbar, it can be switched again to thegraphical user interface 60. As already mentioned in connection withFIGS. 1 through 3, the symbols of the toolbar 68 as well as the meaningof the representation of the display fields for errors and warnings areexplained in further detail in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10.

The user interface 60 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown in FIG. 6,whereby what is known as a service ticket has been requested with theaid of a function key of the toolbar 68. A text output witherror-relevant information occurs via the service ticket. The serviceticket according to FIG. 6 thus contains a customer number, a serialnumber of the printing system, an error description and an error code.

Furthermore, the service ticket contains information as to how tofurther proceed when the operating personnel cannot himself remedy theerror. In the present case, the service ticket shown in section 66contains the instruction that the operating personnel should call aservice control center, whereby the telephone number of the servicecontrol center is specified. In the present case, the operatingpersonnel receives via this service ticket information as to wherefurther information is to be obtained, namely from service techniciansin the service control center. All information necessary for errordescription are displayed in the section 66 and are thus immediatelyavailable for the operating personnel upon making contact with theservice control center. Given other errors, the service ticket can alsocontain concrete instructions for operator control actions for errorcorrection.

The graphical user interface 60 with the service ticket (shown in FIG.6) for the error PM037470 is shown in FIG. 7. In the user interface 60according to FIG. 7, it is pre-set that an e-mail notification isautomatically generated upon invocation of a service ticket. In additionto the information that is contained in the service ticket, an input andoutput field 80 is also contained in the section 66. The input andoutput field 80 contains the text message “Error as e-mail to theservice control center?” Via selection of this input and output field byan operating personnel, the generated e-mail notification isautomatically sent to a preset e-mail address of the service controlcenter.

The user interface 60 is shown in FIG. 8 with a second service ticket.The second service ticket according to FIG. 8 contains information forre-order of an exchanged consumable part and/or of consumable material.After the exchange of a consumable/expendable part and/or after there-filling of the consumable material, a service ticket is automaticallygenerated that is shown in window 66. Furthermore, an e-mailnotification is generated that essentially contains the information ofthe displayed service ticket and that can be sent to a preset e-mailaddress. To send this e-mail, an operating personnel must activate abutton 82 that contains a text field with the text output “Would youlike to re-order the consumable part? E-mail to the service controlcenter”. Via activation of the button 82, this e-mail message isautomatically sent and the exchanged consumable part and/or consumablematerial is re-ordered.

A table for explanation of the display fields 14 and 16 or 54 and 56 isshown in FIG. 9. As already explained in connection with FIGS. 1 through8, the display field 14, 54 serves to signal a potential malfunctionsuch as, for example, to signal an alarm state or a warning. If theprinting system is located in a normal operating state, i.e. no alarmstate or no warning exists, the display field 14, 54 (shown as a symbolwhich is also designated as an icon) is displayed in a deactivatedstate, i.e. in a greyscale representation. If the printing system islocated in an operating state in which a potential malfunction exists,such as, for example, an alarm state or a warning, the display field isdisplayed in a blinking type of representation in which the displayfield is alternately shown essentially yellow and essentially grey. Uponactivation of the graphical function key that is lodged in the displayfield, the error menu and warning menu (what are known as the errorlists) are recalled and displayed.

The display fields 16, 56 contain a shape and design that are designatedas what is known as an icon. The display field is displayed deactivatedin a greyscale representation in a first, undisturbed state. In theevent of an error, i.e. after the occurrence of a malfunction such as,for example, given a paper jam, the display field is displayed in ablinking representation in which the display field 16, 56 is alternatelyshown essentially red and essentially grey. The error list is recalledand displayed via activation of the graphical function key that islodged in the display field 16, 56.

A table is shown in FIG. 10 in which the symbols of the toolbars 24 and68 are described. A graphical function key via which the actiondesignated with the description in the column of the same row isexecuted are respectively stored with the symbols. An overall view ofthe printing system is shown in the window 22 or 46, 66 via activationof the symbol shown in row 1. The current printing system view isenlarged via activation of the symbol in row 2. The current view of theprinting system is shown shrunk with the aid of the symbol shown in row3.

The view of the printing system can be shifted in the respectivedirection of the arrow shown by the symbol with the aid of the functionkeys stored with the symbols according to row 4. A service ticket can bedisplayed instead of the view of the printing system via the symbol inrow 5. The return to the preceding view occurs via repeated activationof the function key stored with the symbol in row 5.

A detailed description of a selected error is output in the section 22,46, 66 of the respective graphical user interface 20, 40, 60 viaactivation of the function key stored with the symbol in row 6. Viarepeated activation of the same function key, the display of thedetailed description is ended.

With the aid of the function keys associated with the symbols shown inrow 7, the next or a preceding error in the series in the error list canbe changed to. A change of the representation type can occur with theaid of the function keys associated with the symbols shown in row 8.Thus a representation of the error list without a printing system view,a representation of the error list with a printing system view and aprinting system view without error list can be changed between with theaid of the function keys.

Although preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described indetail in the drawings and the present specification, this should beviewed as purely exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It isnoted that only the preferred exemplary embodiments are shown anddescribed, and all variations and modifications that presently and inthe future lie within the scope of protection of the invention should beprotected.

1. A graphical user interface for indication of a malfunction state of aprinting or copying system, comprising: at least one display field formalfunction indication, the display field being substantially shown in afirst color given an undisturbed first operating state; the displayfield providing a warning graphical symbol, and the display field beingsubstantially shown in a second color given a potentially disturbedsecond operating state with a potential malfunction of a first groupwhich has not yet occurred; and the display field providing amalfunction graphical symbol different than the warning symbol, and thedisplay field being substantially shown in a third color given adisturbed third operating state with a malfunction of a second groupwhich has already occurred.
 2. A user interface according to claim 1wherein the first color comprises a low-contrast color relative tosurroundings of the display field.
 3. A user interface according toclaim 1 wherein the second color comprises a color that is clearlydistinguishable from surroundings of the display field, and a warningmessage being output in the second operating state.
 4. A user interfaceaccording to claim 1 wherein the third color comprises a color that isclearly distinguishable from surroundings of the display field, and amalfunction message being output in the third operating state.
 5. A userinterface according to claim 1 wherein the second group comprisesmalfunctions in which an error state exists due to which at least one ofthe functions selected from the group consisting of a severe impairmentof the printing or copying system exists and a printing or copyingprocess is interrupted.
 6. A graphical user interface for display of amalfunction state of a printing or copying system, comprising: a warninggraphical symbol and a malfunction graphical symbol different than thewarning graphical symbol; the warning and malfunction graphical symbolsbeing substantially shown in a first color given an undisturbed firstoperating state; the warning graphical symbol being substantially shownin a second color and the malfunction graphical symbol beingsubstantially shown in the first color given a potentially disturbedsecond operating state with a potential malfunction of a first groupwhich has not yet occurred; and the malfunction graphical symbol beingsubstantially shown in a third color given a disturbed third operatingstate with a malfunction of a second group which has already occurred.7. A method for display of a malfunction state of a printing or copyingsystem, comprising the steps of: showing a display field substantiallyin a first color in an undisturbed first operating state; providing awarning graphical symbol with the display field, and showing the displayfield substantially in a second color as a warning in a potentiallydisturbed second operating state with a potential malfunction of a firstgroup which has not yet occurred; and providing a malfunction graphicalsymbol different than the warning symbol with the display field, andshowing the display field substantially in a third color given adisturbed third operating state with a malfunction of a second groupwhich has already occurred.
 8. A graphical user interface for support ina remedy of an error state of an electrophotographic printing or copyingsystem, comprising: at least one first graphical representation of atleast one first view of the printing or copying system, the graphicalrepresentation specifying a region in which an error has occurred; atleast one second graphical representation of at least one part of thefirst representation in which a location of the error is shown enlargedcompared to the first graphical representation of the region in whichthe error has occurred; and activation of a function for the enlargingoccurring via an input.
 9. A user interface according to claim 8 whereinat least the second graphical representation contains an indication ofaccessibility of the error location.
 10. A user interface according toclaim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second representations isa three-dimensional representation.
 11. A user interface according toclaim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second views is containedin an image series of at least one of an animated graphic or a filmsequence.
 12. A user interface according to claim 8 wherein the secondgraphical representation is generated from the first graphicalrepresentation with aid of the enlarging function.
 13. A user interfaceaccording to claim 8 wherein in addition to at least one of the firstand second graphical representations, the graphical user interfacecontains text via which an operating personnel receives an indication ofaccessibility of at least one of the error location and a cause of theerror.
 14. A user interface according to claim 8 wherein at least one ofthe first and the second graphical representations contains at least oneregion of a housing side of the printing or copying system from which anaccess to the error location is possible.
 15. A method for support in aremedy of an error state of a printing or copying system, comprising thesteps of: given an error state, outputting at least one first graphicalrepresentation of at least one view of the printing or copying system inwhich a region of the printing or copying system in which the errorstate has occurred is specified; subsequently outputting at least onesecond graphical representation via which an enlarged representation isoutput of the region in which the error has occurred; and activating theenlarging via an input.
 16. A system for automatic generation ofmessages in an electrophotographic printer or copier, comprising: a dataprocessing system that generates at least one first text message thatcontains at least one error code given occurrence of an error state andwhich transmits the message to at least one preset recipient; and saiderror code being associated with each of a plurality of possible errorstates and the occurred error state being identified with aid of thetransferred error code.
 17. A system according to claim 16 wherein apreset event occurs when a preset minimum quantity of consumablematerial is reached, at least one of a preset wear limit of anexpendable part being reached or an error state of theelectrophotographic printing or copying system occurring.
 18. A systemaccording to claim 16 wherein a transfer of the message occurs with aidof an e-mail.
 19. A system according to claim 16 wherein a transfer ofthe message occurs with aid of an SMS message.
 20. A system according toclaim 16 wherein the message is automatically generated, a sending ofthe message occurring via an input via an operating unit of theelectrophotographic printer or copier.
 21. A system according to claim16 wherein the message contains further specifications or currentsetting values of the printer or copier that are necessary to determinea cause of the error.
 22. A system according to claim 16 wherein themessage to be transmitted to an operating unit of the printer or copierbe displayed.
 23. A system according to claim 16 wherein the messagecontains at least one of the elements selected from the group consistingof a serial number, an error code, and at least a counter state of theprinter or copier.
 24. A method for automatic generation of messages inan electrophotographic printer or copier, comprising the steps of:automatically generating a text message that contains at least an errorcode with aid of a data processing system after occurrence of a preseterror state; sending the message to a preset recipient; and associatingthe error code with each of a plurality of possible error states, andidentifying the occurred error state with aid of the transferred errorcode.